Jul 14, 2017, 5:06 pm
Last edit by: littlevoices
On the back of a similar thread on the BAEC board, it may be helpful for those going on miles / tier point runs to know which destinations are preferable for back-to-back / immediate turnarounds.
Thanks to all who have contributed so far. Please add to the below if you have experience of this at any Cathay destinations (edit the wiki below directly if you have recent experience of any destination or you are 100% certain)
Definitions:
- Excellent: you will leave the aircraft and find yourself in the boarding area for departure ("Changi T1, T2, T3 model but not T4, CX's terminal" - no segregation of arriving and departing passengers)
- Good: you have to clear central security and/or immigration before reboarding, but the typical walking + queuing time required and the aircraft turnaround time should be fine
- Possible: you have to clear central security and/or immigration before reboarding, but the typical walking + queuing time required and the aircraft turnaround time make this more risky
- Not possible
Mainland China: Not possible, especially back-to-back (same aircraft) - i.e. XMN, TAO, FUC, CTU, XIY and others
BCN: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
BOS: possible (though will need to go through immigration and customs and reenter via landside) Although Immigration lines can be atrocious at BOS, there are very few international flights landing at that hour, so it should be reasonable.
CDG: good (though BAEC board does not think so)
CGK: possible (unhelpful transit desk; APEC cardholders may find it more predictable to exit and reenter via landside)
CMB: excellent (though need to print return CMB-HKG boarding pass in advance - see separate thread)
DAD: not possible for U-turns.
EWR: possible (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside)
HAN: not possible for U-turns.
HKG: good (still need to reclear central security, but efficient. May require high speed walking depending on respective arrival and departure gates. No immigration required)
HND: good (need to clear security; ample time buffer)
IAD: good (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside)
ICN: good (transfer security available at satellite terminal - no need to take train to main terminal, no immigration)
JFK: possible for CX846/845 and CX888/841 (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside). Not possible for other flights
JNB: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
KHH: good
KTM: Possible, but get ISM to notify ground staff so they will assign an escort to take you through all the step. Not Possible without escort
KUL: excellent
LAX: possible for CX880/881 (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside). Not possible for other flights
LHR: These are 2 hour transit time combos: CX257/238; CX239/256; CX253/254. Walk to gate 3x can be LONG; intermediate transit security area.
Morning arrivals require 6 hrs transit times for 1200ish departures
MAD: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
MXP: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
MLE: good (subject to update on separate thread)
MNL: good (best to plan your turnaround on the next flight to be safe. CX906/900 and 918/902/934 depart close to each other to minimise time wastage). No need to clear immigration however your passport will be taken for processing which may take as much as 30-40 minutes.
NRT: possible (need to clear security; tighter turnarounds)
ORD: not possible
PEK: n/a - regular delays mean this is not a viable miles run route (only try to do so if you have a flex ticket)
PVG: n/a - regular delays mean this is not a viable miles run route
SFO: possible for CX872/873 and CX892/893 (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside). Not possible for other flights
SGN: not possible for U-turns.
SIN: possible, T4-T4 transit may pose some surprise to the staff
SYD: good - transit security but no immigration needed
TPE: good (still need to reclear central security, but efficient and usually empty transit facility)
Thanks to all who have contributed so far. Please add to the below if you have experience of this at any Cathay destinations (edit the wiki below directly if you have recent experience of any destination or you are 100% certain)
Definitions:
- Excellent: you will leave the aircraft and find yourself in the boarding area for departure ("Changi T1, T2, T3 model but not T4, CX's terminal" - no segregation of arriving and departing passengers)
- Good: you have to clear central security and/or immigration before reboarding, but the typical walking + queuing time required and the aircraft turnaround time should be fine
- Possible: you have to clear central security and/or immigration before reboarding, but the typical walking + queuing time required and the aircraft turnaround time make this more risky
- Not possible
Mainland China: Not possible, especially back-to-back (same aircraft) - i.e. XMN, TAO, FUC, CTU, XIY and others
BCN: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
BOS: possible (though will need to go through immigration and customs and reenter via landside) Although Immigration lines can be atrocious at BOS, there are very few international flights landing at that hour, so it should be reasonable.
CDG: good (though BAEC board does not think so)
CGK: possible (unhelpful transit desk; APEC cardholders may find it more predictable to exit and reenter via landside)
CMB: excellent (though need to print return CMB-HKG boarding pass in advance - see separate thread)
DAD: not possible for U-turns.
EWR: possible (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside)
HAN: not possible for U-turns.
HKG: good (still need to reclear central security, but efficient. May require high speed walking depending on respective arrival and departure gates. No immigration required)
HND: good (need to clear security; ample time buffer)
IAD: good (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside)
ICN: good (transfer security available at satellite terminal - no need to take train to main terminal, no immigration)
JFK: possible for CX846/845 and CX888/841 (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside). Not possible for other flights
JNB: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
KHH: good
KTM: Possible, but get ISM to notify ground staff so they will assign an escort to take you through all the step. Not Possible without escort
KUL: excellent
LAX: possible for CX880/881 (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside). Not possible for other flights
LHR: These are 2 hour transit time combos: CX257/238; CX239/256; CX253/254. Walk to gate 3x can be LONG; intermediate transit security area.
Morning arrivals require 6 hrs transit times for 1200ish departures
MAD: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
MXP: good (though note it is a 6-hour turnaround so will need to wait)
MLE: good (subject to update on separate thread)
MNL: good (best to plan your turnaround on the next flight to be safe. CX906/900 and 918/902/934 depart close to each other to minimise time wastage). No need to clear immigration however your passport will be taken for processing which may take as much as 30-40 minutes.
NRT: possible (need to clear security; tighter turnarounds)
ORD: not possible
PEK: n/a - regular delays mean this is not a viable miles run route (only try to do so if you have a flex ticket)
PVG: n/a - regular delays mean this is not a viable miles run route
SFO: possible for CX872/873 and CX892/893 (though need to clear immigration and customs and reenter via landside). Not possible for other flights
SGN: not possible for U-turns.
SIN: possible, T4-T4 transit may pose some surprise to the staff
SYD: good - transit security but no immigration needed
TPE: good (still need to reclear central security, but efficient and usually empty transit facility)
Wiki: Back-to-back / immediate turnarounds at Cathay destinations
Oct 2, 2018, 8:50 pm
#121
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
Has anyone done a MNL turnaround recently? back-to-back on same aircraft was easy?
I have only done CMB/TPE turnaround before; both of which were a breeze! Any pointers on MNL trunaround would be great! Thx.
I have only done CMB/TPE turnaround before; both of which were a breeze! Any pointers on MNL trunaround would be great! Thx.
Oct 2, 2018, 9:09 pm
#122
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: HKG
Programs: CX DM, Watsons Wine Burgundy
Posts: 415
I did in June. There was a ground staff waiting for me upon disembarkation who handled the immigration process for me. Although I didn't have to do anything but wait, it got a bit hairy as it took about 45 minutes and the staff was running to and fro, and seemed frustrated. She later told me "different officer different policy" but was extremely professional and trying very hard to do something which seems to be bending the rules. I have done it twice and its been like this, not ideal if you want stress free travel or you get anxious when someone takes your passport away for an extended period. Both times the return flight was already boarding once everything was done.
Oct 3, 2018, 3:07 am
#123
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
I did in June. There was a ground staff waiting for me upon disembarkation who handled the immigration process for me. Although I didn't have to do anything but wait, it got a bit hairy as it took about 45 minutes and the staff was running to and fro, and seemed frustrated. She later told me "different officer different policy" but was extremely professional and trying very hard to do something which seems to be bending the rules. I have done it twice and its been like this, not ideal if you want stress free travel or you get anxious when someone takes your passport away for an extended period. Both times the return flight was already boarding once everything was done.
Thanks for your insight!
Oct 3, 2018, 7:15 pm
#125
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 580
Oct 3, 2018, 7:42 pm
#126
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
Oct 4, 2018, 2:25 am
#127
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 580
The set up at CMB is exactly like KUL and SIN T1,2,3 where security are done at gate right before boarding. So when you arrive at CMB you simply head to the lounge and then re-enter gate area for final security check. Please note that mobile boarding pass isn't available ex-CMB so it would be best to ask for the return leg boarding pass when you depart from HKG. I understand that some of the FTs have had problems getting the inbound boarding pass at check in @HKG. I haven't had any issue getting it myself though; it might take a few mins for the agent to figure it out but they all managed to give me at the end.
Oct 4, 2018, 11:01 pm
#128
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: TPE, CGK
Programs: GFF Plat, CX DM, SQ TPPS, AS 75K
Posts: 199
TPE security really is painless - I've never had to queue and I'm through in a few minutes. Personally would choose TPE (if it was a choice)
Oct 5, 2018, 3:30 am
#129
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 580
Yes indeed, TPE transit security is just always empty. For CMB, it could be more useful for mileage run that requires longer legs.
Oct 5, 2018, 4:09 am
#130
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: HKG / DUB / YYZ
Programs: CX AY DL
Posts: 179
can vouch for tpe. the quickest i've done is 3 minutes as my gate was right next to the transit facility. although tpe is quite a pain to walk around if your departing flight is on the other side of the terminal.
Oct 15, 2018, 11:23 pm
#131
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HK
Programs: Qantas (Lifetime Gold), PAL (Elite), British Airways (now sadly blue), Cathay MPO DM
Posts: 647
Connecting through CAN
I want to fly into CAN on KA and they fly out again on the same plane. So, tight connection. I do it all the time in TPE, but have never been to CAN. Does anyone know how hard it is? TPE is a breeze.
Oct 16, 2018, 1:37 am
#132
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: BA SL, CX GR, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 580
I flied to CAN once on KA’s night flight. Although in possession of my connecting OW (not KA) boarding pass, the international transit area was closed leaving me no option but to clear immigration and security. Process was not too long, but I guess turnaround is hard if not impossible.
Oct 16, 2018, 2:12 am
#133
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
The level of difficulty of TPE vs CAN is probably on two polar ends. However, I think fellow members here have reported that it is doable with an HRP albeit tough.
Oct 16, 2018, 2:54 am
#134
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HK
Programs: Qantas (Lifetime Gold), PAL (Elite), British Airways (now sadly blue), Cathay MPO DM
Posts: 647
Thanks. My travel agent just told me the minimum connection time is 2.5 hours!!!! I do have an APEC card...but seems tough. Might have to take the train. Damn.
Oct 17, 2018, 7:45 am
#135
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 506